“For to us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace….” Isaiah 9:6

Some weeks ago, I became a hazard in the grocery store aisle. Somewhere between tomato paste and rolled oats on my shopping list I stopped abruptly….too abruptly for several other shoppers and an employee with a supply cart. What caused me to stop up short was a display with messages I would never have expected to find in a grocery store: slogans such as “Forgive and Forget”, “Turn The Other Cheek”, “Kiss And Make Up”, “Bury The Hatchet”, “Clean The SLate”, and “Bygones Be Bygones”. The display was the latest product to come from “Peace By Chocolate”, bars of lovely dark chocolate with cashews, produced in Antigonish, NS by the Hadhad Family. Well-known chocolatiers in Syria, they had to flee their homeland some years ago because of the civil war and came to Canada as refugees. They settled in Antigonish and early on, as a way of expressing gratitude to those around them, they made some chocolates in their kitchen as a contribution to a community dinner. They, and the chocolates, were “a hit” and so began a new chapter in their lives: re-developing their family’s chocolatier tradition here in Canada as they continue to re-build their war-torn lives.

Once the shopping and supply carts got untangled, I paused looking at the display of chocolate bars with their slogan-covered wrappers. It took me some moments to integrate the indulgence of a chocolate bar with the message, or call, for reconciliation, from those who have experience some of the worst division and unrest humanity can inflict upon humanity. Yet, I rejoiced that this family is using their knowledge, their skills and their heart-felt gratitude for a renewed life to share a message of hope in peace and reconciliation in the midst of daily life.

The Christmas season is often cause for people to consider their relationships with others. For some, it is a time of sharing love and companionship with family and friends. It is love, affection and caring that motivates people to exchange gifts, gather together with others in special ways and reach out with messages and greetings. For others, the days bring introspection and the recognition that all is not well with them and their relationships with others. As a minister, I’ve been a witness to some people who have felt a deep need to reach out and rebuild bridges of connectivity and care in relationships that have been marked by estrangement or tension. I’ve often been deeply amazed and awed by how an offering of “an olive branch of peace” has opened up unhealthy situations to new ways of being. For me, such insights are a sign of God’s amazing work in people’s lives and the power of love to heal and make new.

In celebrating the coming of Jesus, God reaches out to us with the gift of divine love. God yearns for our companionship. God yearns that we place our trust in divine care and faithfulness. God yearns that we come to our senses and begin to see the world through the eyes of divine love, forgiveness, compassion and care. In sending Jesus into the world, God is inviting us, and all of humanity, to place our lives in the heart of God’s peace, or well-being, for all of creation where healing happens and bridges are re-built, where love endows risk-taking for others’ well-being and restorations brings renewal and new life. God chooses to declare this message in a most unusual way: in the birth of a child…a vulnerable, helpless baby, born in a cattle stall, in the darkest and cruelest of times. This child would be named Jesus. This child would come to be known as Lord, Saviour, Prince of Peace, Son of God. In his living and in his dying, this child would show us the depths to which God loves us and the world God has created.

As we walk through these days of preparation and come to the celebration of Christmas may we do so joyfully and gratefully, that God has indeed reached out to us, offering us the best God has to offer: new life in divine peace and love through Jesus Christ, His Son.

As this year draws to a close, I’m delighted to report that the re-roofing of the church building has been completed, our Sunday School of six to eight children and the community youth group of around twenty youth continue week by week, that there are monthly opportunities of Bible Study and fellowship, and that we continue to have presence in institutions of care and in the community at large. Worship is all that more special when you are there to be a part of the congregation. Please continue to pray for the life and work of St. Andrew’s and remember the congregation in your financial gifts. Thank you.

Well things are really shaping up for the concert of the season at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The congregation has the Sanctuary all prepared for the Christmas season and for their Miners’ First Noel Concert on Friday, December 28th at 7 p.m.

Rita Johnston the spokesman for the Stewardship Committee says that tickets are going really well, she is even getting calls from out west where families are coming home for Christmas and would like to see the show. She went on to say that the reason for tickets moving so early is a number of reasons, mainly the talent of all the performers that are in this year’s show. We have thirteen performers this year and it’s the biggest one since we started The Miners First Noel four years ago. Plus people tend to wait until the last second before buying their tickets and by that time we are already sold out, so this year they are buying them early. Also, with people coming home for the holidays they tend to purchase tickets early because if they waited until they arrive home then tickets are all gone. Our Christmas show is always a sell out because all the excitement of preparing for Christmas day is over and everyone is finally getting to relax and now can have an evening out and enjoy a show themselves.

This concert is a great fundraiser for the church that is over 100 years old, but it’s so much more then that Johnston explained. She said that it’s the tradition of wonderful performers coming together in this beautiful venue to give the community top notch entertainment. Bob Quinn is the organizer behind these fine performers and said that when the call went out to see if they would be interested in performing, there was no hesitation from any of the performers. Everyone that he contacted and asked to be in this year’s show were delighted to come together to support the church and the lovely community of Sydney Mines. Tony Quinn was a resident of North Sydney for many years and now is thrilled to be playing in Sydney Mines with his daughter Shannon. Stewart and his sister Lucy MacNeil are always excited to play at St. Andrew’s whether it’s with their family the Barra’s or simply on their own with Bob Quinn. They too have a special attachment for this lovely old building and the community in which they grew up in. Last year Lucy was proud to present the talent of her two beautiful daughters Amelia and Kenna and they are returning with her again this year. Stewart MacNeil is a great asset to the show with not only his voice but his talent to play so many instruments.

It was three years ago when we heard the beautiful voice of Kate Quinn, Bob’s daughter when she performed first at St. Andrew’s. Kate will be accompanied once again by her husband Matt MacIsaac who is a Master Piper. Also, this year you will be introduced to Grant Eisan who is Bob’s nephew and has a fantastic voice as well. Then there is the angelic voice of Jennifer (Whalen) Quinn who is the hometown girl of Sydney Mines. Jennifer was well known in Sydney Mines years ago when she use to perform for weddings and other socials. Her musical history is a long one and now since moving back home a number of years ago, she has begun to sing once again. Then we have Cameron and MacKenzie Clarke who are two young ladies that will entertain you with a story or two about the Good Old Town of Sydney Mines. So by looking at this lineup you can see the reason why tickets are selling so well. With a show like this, you know it’s going to be the ultimate concert of the season, one that will leave your heart full of song and joy.

Tickets are $28 each and are NOW AVAILABLE at Shoppers Drug Mart at the Post Office Counter in North Sydney and Sexton’s Pharmasave at the Pharmacy counter in Sydney Mines or reserve yours by calling 902-736-2508. That’s the Miners’ First Noel IV Concert at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Friday, December 28th at 7:00 p.m. Get your tickets early before they are all gone.

St. Andrew’s Community Youth Group will begin a new season on Sunday, September 18th 6:30—8:30 pm in the Sunday School Room. This gathering is for all youth in Grades 4 through Grade 8. If you wish more information, please contact Sr. Youth Leader April MacKinnon at 902-371-3067. There will be a Youth Leaders Planning Meeting on Sunday, September 11th at 6:30 pm in the Church Kitchen.